Putting Scott at number one is absolutely the right call. He’s the only one who commands respect across the entire Marvel universe—from Omegas and gods to former villains and anti-heroes. Even Captain America defers to him. Storm and Magneto have followed his lead. The rest of the rankings could’ve used some tweaking. Jean, for instance, deserves to be higher—she commands respect from nearly everyone, including Captain Marvel, the current Chair of the Avengers. And while I get Storm being in the top three—she’s universally ired—putting her on the same level of influence as Scott feels like a stretch.

Cyclops is always right though Rogue raises a valid point: if the roles were reversed, Scott would never have left any of them behind, especially in Xavier’s shoes. Beast is living proof of that, even after crossing a line before his resurrection. And Magik was spot on…Storm, Wolverine, and the rest would have followed Scott without hesitation. Why? Because he sees the bigger picture. He always has. He may not be classified as Omega, but make no mistake…he is the leader of all leaders. The heart, the strategy, the soul of the X-Men. Always was. Always will be.

This is such a well-written piece! I’ve always thought Cyclops was ahead of his time. While Captain America is the gold standard due to his charisma and inspiring leadership, what truly sets Cyclops apart is his adaptability and ability to evolve with the times. That’s why I believe he has sured Steve Rogers.

Cyclops doesn’t just lead—he fights for everyone. He knows every single person he serves, and his leadership commands the respect of Omegas, gods, and goddesses alike. Sure, Steve can inspire the same level of loyalty, but Cyclops goes a step further—he can even rally former villains and bring them to his side.

Undoubtedly, he is the greatest tactician and the greatest strategist, and he always has a plan—often willing to sacrifice himself for the cause. That unwavering dedication cements him as, bar none, the best leader in Marvel.

I get what you’re saying, and I definitely respect that Al Ewing and Murewa are diving into Storm’s character and giving her the spotlight she deserves. But for me, part of what made Storm so great was her dynamic within the X-Men. She wasn’t just about raw power—she was a leader, a strategist, and someone who could inspire and connect with others on a deeply human level. That balance of power and relatability was what drew me to her.

If she’s written as that powerful all the time, though, who’s even going to challenge her? What stakes are left? Part of what makes stories compelling is the struggle, the vulnerability, and the chance to see characters overcome obstacles together. Storm’s dynamic as part of the X-Men team—fighting alongside her peers, being a leader and a mentor—was what I personally enjoyed most about her. It’s not about wanting her to get taken down, but about maintaining the depth and relationships that made her such a beloved character in the first place.

I love Storm, but all these constant upgrades are getting frustrating. What makes Storm great is her relatable and grounded character. The more they push her into these over-the-top, cosmic storylines, the less she feels like the Storm I grew up loving. There’s already enough focus on cosmic-level stories—they don’t need to turn Storm into another Jean Grey. It feels redundant. Honestly, I preferred when she was an Alpha mutant, like Cyclops. Characters don’t need to have the biggest powers to be compelling—sometimes their limitations are what make them truly relatable and memorable.

While Storm is one of my absolute favorites, I believe Scott is a better teacher and leader. Even Storm herself and the rest of the X-Men have learned from Scott. He has taken on more leadership roles and has consistently guided the team through some of their toughest challenges. Storm is an excellent second-in-command, providing strong and wisdom, but Scott's strategic vision and teaching ability place him at the forefront. His impact on the team and his dedication to both mutants and humans truly set him apart.